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PUPPY CARE
Feeding
Your Puppy
 A
commercial puppy food is best for your new dog. If you know the brand
of food the puppy was eating before you brought him home, it is best
to start with that. You may gradually mix in your brand of choice with
the original food over a week or two. If your puppy is having difficulty
chewing the kibbles, it may help to moisten the food with warm water
a few minutes before feeding. Puppies that are eating solid food do
not need to drink milk. Puppies should be fed three times a day until
4 - 6 months old and then twice a day thereafter. It is best to start
by following the amount recommended on the food bag, then adjust the
amount fed according to what your puppy eats. Be careful to avoid letting
your puppy get too fat before it's bones and joints have fully developed
(around 15 - 18 months of age). If your puppy is a large breed puppy
(which means it will weigh more than 60 pounds when full grown), we
recommend feeding an AAFCO certified puppy food for large or giant breed
puppies. It is made specifically to decrease the severity of hip dysplasia.
Also, avoid feeding table scraps as this may lead to poor eating habits.
Food quality can vary somewhat among the various brands, so select a
brand that has been recommended to you.
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Vaccinations
The health of your
puppy during his first few months is dependent on his body's ability
to fight off disease. Having your puppy vaccinated regularly against
diseases such as distemper and parvo virus will help his body build
up a strong immune system. We recommend that puppies receive a series
of vaccinations. The first one can be given at 6 - 8 weeks of age and
should be repeated every 3 - 4 weeks until the series of three (sometimes
four) injections have been completed. At 12 weeks of age your puppy
can get vaccinated against rabies virus. There is a growing number of
wildlife in this area infected with rabies, especially raccoons and
skunks, so it is most important that this vaccine be given. If you live
in or will be traveling to a tick infested area, there is a Lyme vaccine
available. There is also a bordatella vaccination available. This vaccine
protects against "kennel cough". This vaccine is recommended when your
puppy is going to be exposed to other dogs (boarding kennel or training
classes).
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Crate
Training
Dogs are den animals
and actually prefer sleeping in a small, safe place, The cost of a crate
may initially seem very expensive, but think how much it will cost to
redo your living room! We highly recommend starting your puppy out in
a crate. It will help you to housetrain him and keep him sale. You should
purchase a crate large enough for the dog when he is full grown. In
the beginning, you may need to put a solid divider in the crate so that
your puppy has just enough room to get up and turn around. The crate
will be used as the dog's bed and safe, private space. NEVER put the
dog in his crate as punishment! You may need to give the puppy a treat
after he has gone into the crate the first few times. You may also feed
him in his crate until he gets used to it and thinks of it as his home.
The puppy should be taken out of the crate and directly outside to go
to the bathroom frequently. Please don't expect your puppy to be able
to wait 8 hours and not have an accident. They have small bladders and
high metabolism! If you leave the puppy in the crate for longer than
4 hours at a time, a small dish of water should be secured to the crate
door. Many dogs will feel safe and secure.
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Obedience
Training
Your new puppy will
become an important part of your family. Everyone hopes that their puppy
will grow up to be a calm, well trained dog that is enjoyable to be
with. We recommend that you start training your puppy TODAY! All dogs
want to please their owners, and by teaching them a few simple commands,
you can have them behave for your praise and rewards. The first command
for the pup to learn is how to sit. You want to teach them with patience,
praise and treats. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to get your
puppy to sit. You want to have the puppy sit - even as he receives and
eats his treat. After he has learned this, you might want to have your
puppy learn to sit before getting attention, food, or even going out
the door or in the car. Let your puppy know that by listening and following
your wishes, he gets what he wants. If you are having a difficult time
with this, please let one of our staff know and we will help you. We
recommend that you take your puppy to obedience school, as it will let
your puppy socialize either other dogs and people as well as learn other
commands.
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Flea
Control
Your veterinarian
will examine your puppy for evidence of fleas. Fleas are blood-sucking
parasites that can cause your puppy to become very anemic and ill. It
is important that you control the fleas in the dog's home environment.
For every flea you see on your puppy, there are 20 eggs and larvae in
your house! Please ask our staff for advice on flea control that will
best suit your puppy's needs--even if your puppy does not have a current
flea problem. There are many options for treating flea infestations,
such as powders, sprays, and shampoos, as well as some newer products
that are very effective such as once-a-month oral pills and spot-on
applications.
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Identification
We
strongly recommend having some form of identification on your puppy.
No one wants to think about their puppy missing but accidents happen.
Whether he runs out an open door or slips his collar identification
could increase his chances of returning home to you. Two types of permanent
identification are tattoos and microchips. For tattoos, your puppy will
need to be lightly sedated, then we tattoo an assigned number to his
inner thigh. A microchip can be administered with sedation. The chip
is injected under the skin with a special applicator. If you decide
against using permanent identification method, then we recommend using
a tag with the puppy's name, your name and phone number on his collar.
Many dogs have been reunited with their families because of these tags.
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Housetraining
If you are lucky,
you have a puppy that is already trained to go to the bathroom outside.
Puppies will learn to go to the bathroom on newspaper, in litter-boxes,
or outside. We recommend that you train your puppy to go outdoors from
the very beginning. If they learn to go on newspaper, it may be difficult
habit to break. Please take your puppy outside every few hours and especially
just after eating or right after he wakes up. It is very important that
you praise the puppy after he has gone outside. You might even want
to give a small treat if you think the puppy needs the added incentive.
Do not punish your puppy for going to the bathroom in the wrong place
after he has already done it. He won't know why you are angry and may
associate it with something other than soiling your house. The keys
to good housetraining are: 1) anticipating when your puppy will need
to go to the bathroom, such as right before or after eating or when
he first wakes up, and 2) a regular, consistent schedule with frequent
trips outdoors. Puppies tend to return to the same places outdoors to
go to the bathroom, so be sure to return to these same spots frequently,
and soon these areas will become his "bathroom". Pick a term to use
as a command when you take him out, like go to the bathroom or go potty,
and soon he will learn what you expect him to do when you say that command.
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Parasites
Your new puppy may
have arrived at your home with some tag-along friends--intestinal parasites!
Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms are common intestinal parasites.
They can cause weakness, depression, weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting.
Human infection with roundworms is possible but is rare. It most commonly
occurs in children who play in areas such as sandboxes or yards which
has become contaminated with dog or cat fecal material, then fail to
wash. Practice good hygiene when handling your new puppy. Intestinal
parasites can be detected by routine fecal exams. Treatment is relatively
simple if your puppy is not too sick. We recommend bringing a sample
of fresh stool with you at the time of each vaccination and check-up.
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Heartworm
Every dog should
be protected against heartworm disease during the summer. Heartworm
is a parasite that lives in the bloodstream and heart of dogs. It is
transmitted by mosquitoes. All dogs should be tested annually for heartworm
and put on a monthly pill that prevents the dog from becoming infected.
Your puppy might not have to be tested the first year, but he will need
preventive starting in May and continuing through December. If your
puppy is growing, he may need to be weighed every month to make sure
he gets the tablet that is the right strength for him.
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Neutering
And Spaying
Puppies may be neutered
as early as 5 months of age. We recommend that females are spayed before
their first heat cycle. This reduces the chances of your puppy developing
mammary tumors later in life. If you are considering breeding your puppy
when it is older, we recommend that you discuss this now with the veterinarian,
and perhaps a few dog breeders, so that ;you will know what is involved.
Many unwanted animals are put to sleep every year. Your lucky puppy
has found a good home! No one can guarantee that will happen to the
next litter.
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Dental
Care
Routine dental care
is an important part of your dog's life-long health and well being.
Proper dental care can help prevent liver, lung, kidney, and heart problems
that may develop later in life. It is not too soon to start brushing
your dog's teeth when it is a puppy. This way they become used to the
brushing and may even look forward to their chicken or vanilla mint
flavored toothpaste! Have your veterinarian show you the different types
of toothbrushes and explain how to get your dog used to having his teeth
brushed. At every yearly, exam, the doctor will inspect your dog's teeth
and schedule a routine dental cleaning if needed.
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KITTEN CARE
Feeding
A commercial kitten
food is best for your new kitten. Cats are carnivores (meat eaters by
nature) and therefore need a meat based diet to look and feel healthy.
Kittens should be fed kitten food until 12 months of age. Good quality
food ensures your kitten's proper growth and development and helps satisfy
a growing kitten's needs. Kittens do well when food is available at
all times. They tend to be nibblers and may eat many small meals during
the day. Provide a fresh bowl of food and water daily. Do not give kittens
milk. Cows milk is not like their mother's milk. It is hard for them
to digest and may cause diarrhea.
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Vaccinations
The health of your
new kitten during his or her first months is dependent on his/her body's
ability to fight off disease. Having your kitten vaccinated regularly
against diseases such as feline rhinotracheitis, calici virus, and panleukopenia
will help his/her body build up a strong immune system. Kittens should
receive their first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age then get a booster
in 3 to 4 weeks. At 12 weeks of age your kitten can get vaccinated against
rabies virus. There is a growing number of wildlife in this area infected
with rabies especially raccoon, bats, and skunks, so it is most important
that this vaccine be given. We also recommend vaccinating for feline
leukemia if your kitten is going to go outside. It is best to do a blood
test first to check if he/she is carrying feline leukemia or F.I.V.
(feline immunodeficiency virus). If the test is negative the first vaccine
is given then they receive a booster in 3 to 4 weeks.
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Parasites
Your new kitten
may have arrived at your home with some tag-along friends, intestinal
parasites. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and coccidia are common
intestinal parasites. They can cause weakness, depression, weight loss,
diarrhea and vomiting. Human infection with roundworms is possible but
rare. It most commonly occurs in children playing in areas such as sand
boxes and years contaminated with dog or cat feces. This can be avoided
by proper hygiene which includes hand washing after playing outside
or playing with young animals. Intestinal parasites can be detected
by routine fecal exams. Treatment is relatively simple. We recommend
bringing a sample of fresh stool with you at the time of each vaccination
and check-up.
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Neutering
and Spaying
Kittens may be neutered
as early as 5 months of age. Females can be very vocal during their
estrus (heat) cycle so spaying early can help eliminate the crying.
It may also add years to her life by eliminating potential health problems
including tumors and uterine diseases. Neutering your male cat may make
him less likely to "mark his territory" with urine, fight with other
cats, and also may help to keep him close to home.
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Dental
Care
Routine dental care
is an important part of your kittens life-long health and well being.
Proper dental care can help prevent liver, lung, kidney, and heart problems
that may develop later. It is not too soon to start brushing your kittens
teeth. This way they become accustomed to the brushing and may even
look forward to their chicken or vanilla mint flavored toothpaste! Have
your veterinarian show you the different types of toothbrushes and explain
how to get your kitten used to having his/her teeth brushed. At every
yearly exam, the doctor will inspect your cats teeth and gums and schedule
a routine dental cleaning if needed.
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Flea
Control
Your veterinarian
will examine your kitten for evidence of fleas. Fleas are blood-sucking
parasites that can cause your kitten to become very anemic and ill.
It is important that you control the fleas in the kitten's home environment.
For every flea you see on your kitten, there are 20 eggs and larvae
in your house! Please ask our staff for advise on flea control that
will best suit your kitten's needs - even if your kitten does not have
a current flea problem. There are many options for treating flea infestations.
Newer products that are very effective include a six month injection,
monthly oral medications and monthly spot-on applications.
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Litter
Box
Choose a litter
box that will be large enough for the cat to fit comfortably inside
with enough room to turn around and dig. A small kitten may not be able
to use a regular size litter pan yet. An inexpensive plastic or aluminum
pan with a two inch rim will suffice until the kitten graduates to a
regular size box. Place the box in a quiet area. Kittens usually like
unscented sand or clay litters with small granules. They also make clumping
litters to make litter box cleaning easier. Eliminate box odor by cleaning
the box frequently with warm soapy water (avoid scented disinfectants).
If you have more than one cat, you may need more than one litter pan
to avoid housebreaking problems. Pregnant women should avoid cleaning
litter boxes if at all possible. Toxoplasmosis, a disease that can cause
birth defects, can be carried in some cat feces. If you must take care
of the litter box, use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
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Kitten-Proof
Your Home
Kittens are very
playful and can get into trouble. Be aware of electrical cords, open
windows, and high balconies. Hide cleaning products, insecticides, poisonous
plants and small items kittens could swallow. Do not allow your kitten
to play with yarn or string unsupervised. If it gets swallowed it could
lodge in the intestinal tract.
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Hairballs
As cats groom themselves,
they swallow hair which accumulates in the digestive tract. Usually
this is passed uneventfully. Some cats, especially long-haired cats
or those who groom excessively, may experience trouble passing the hairballs.
Signs of this include coughing, gagging and vomiting. Consult your veterinarian
if you think your cat has this problem. There is a gel that can be given
which lubricates the ingested hair and allows it to pass through the
gastrointestinal tract. Most cats enjoy the taste of the gel so treatment
is simple.
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Dental
Care
Tooth and gum diseases
are among the most common conditions diagnosed by veterinarians today.
The most common dental disorders in the dog and cat include tartar,
roof abscesses, retained deciduous teeth, and chronic periodontitis.
Routine dental care can prevent the formation of tartar and the subsequent
periodontitis and root abscesses that often occur. Since dogs and cats
don't brush their teeth twice a day like most humans do, food gets trapped
between teeth and gums. Trapped food is an excellent source of nutrition
for oral bacteria; and as these bacteria grow, they form a film called
plaque. Plaque may show on your pets teeth as a yellow or brown film.
Eventually, hard mineral deposits called calculus are formed. A faint
to very dark line at the gum line is a sign of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis-causing bacteria can destroy gum tissue and cause oral pain,
decreased appetite, and bad breath if left untreated the bacteria can
enter the tooth sockets and bloodstream to cause severe conditions such
as tooth loss, bone infections, liver disease, respiratory disease,
diabetes, and heart disease.
The most important
aspect of controlling any dental disease as well as maintaining oral
health is good home care. Prevention is the most important treatment
for dental tartar. Proper dental prophylaxis should include a proper
dry dog or cat food diet, regular brushing, annual dental exams and
ultrasonic scaling and polishing when necessary. It is recommended to
get your pet accustomed to routine dental care as early as possible.
Begin by getting your pet used to your handling his or her mouth. Start
with massaging around his mouth. After a few days, rub your finger along
your pets teeth and gums in a gentle back and forth motion. When you
and your pet feel comfortable with this procedure, begin introducing
a tooth brush into the mouth. There are many kinds and flavors of pet
toothpaste on the market. They are very palatable and pets usually like
them. Do not use human tooth paste on pets as they can cause stomach
upset and make them very ill. You may need to start with only a few
teeth and work your way up. Small circular motions are the most effective.
Brushing the teeth
once a day is ideal but brushing once or twice a week is definitely
better than not brushing at all. Positive reinforcement is very important
when brushing your pet's teeth. Always reward your pet with a lot of
praise and affection when you successfully complete a session.
There are alternate methods to consider if your pet persistently resists
brushing. If your pet is fighting the toothbrush, some animals will
tolerate a finger brush or even gauze sponges. There are also oral rinses,
gels or chew to help make your home care easier.
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Please ask our
trained staff at Green Mountain Veterinary Hospital to help with any
questions you may have on getting started today with your dental home
care plan. We are here to answer your questions as well as show you
new products on the market and ways to possibly make your home care
easier for you and your pet.
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